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AROMASIN®
(ah ROME ah sin)
(exemestane tablets)

Read the patient information leaflet that comes with AROMASIN (exemestane) before you start taking it. Read the leaflet each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet does not replace talking with your doctor about your condition or treatment. If you have any questions about AROMASIN (exemestane) , ask your nurse, doctor, or pharmacist.

1. What is AROMASIN (exemestane) ?

AROMASIN (exemestane) is used in women who are past menopause. It is used in:

• Early breast cancer (cancer that has not spread outside the breast). AROMASIN (exemestane) lowers the risk the cancer will come back. It is for women who:
  • Have cancer that needs the female hormone estrogen to grow and
  • Had surgery for breast cancer, and possibly other treatments for breast cancer including radiation or chemotherapy and
  • Have taken tamoxifen for 2 to 3 years and
  • Are switching to AROMASIN (exemestane) to finish 5 years in a row of hormonal therapy.
• Advanced breast cancer (cancer that has spread), to treat cancer that came back after treatment with tamoxifen.

Certain breast cancers need the female hormone estrogen to grow (estrogen receptor-positive cancer).

While you are taking AROMASIN (exemestane) , your body stops making estrogen. AROMASIN (exemestane) may slow or stop the growth of the cancer.

AROMASIN (exemestane) is hormone therapy. It is not chemotherapy. It is not hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

2. Who should not take AROMASIN (exemestane) ?

Do not take AROMASIN (exemestane) if:

• You are allergic to AROMASIN or anything in it. The active ingredient is exemestane. There is a list of what is in AROMASIN (exemestane) at the end of this leaflet.

3. What should I tell my doctor before taking AROMASIN (exemestane) ?

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions. Be sure to tell your doctor if you:

• Are still having menstrual periods (are not past menopause). AROMASIN (exemestane) is only for women who are past menopause.
• Are pregnant or could be pregnant. Taking AROMASIN (exemestane) during pregnancy may cause birth defects or miscarriage.
• Are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you are being treated with AROMASIN (exemestane) .
• Have liver or kidney problems.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. Include prescription and nonprescription medicines, herbal remedies, and vitamins. AROMASIN (exemestane) and other medicines may affect how each other work.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you take:

• Medicines with estrogen, such as Premarin®, other hormone replacement therapy, or birth control pills or patches. AROMASIN (exemestane) should not be taken with these medicines as they could affect how well AROMASIN (exemestane) works.
• Rifadin® (rifampin)
• Dilantin® (phenytoin), Tegretol® (carbamazepine), or Luminal® (phenobarbital)
• St. John's wort

Know what medicines you take. Keep a list of them with you. Show it to your doctor or pharmacist each time you get a new prescription.

4. What are the possible side effects of AROMASIN (exemestane) ?

Serious Side Effects

• Bone loss. AROMASIN (exemestane) may reduce your bone mineral density (BMD) over time. This may raise your risk for bone fractures.
• Chest pain, heart failure, or stroke. A small number of women had chest pain, heart failure, or a stroke while taking AROMASIN (exemestane) .

Common Side Effects

Your doctor may do blood tests to check your liver and kidney function during treatment.

These are not all the side effects with AROMASIN (exemestane) . Ask your cancer nurse or doctor for a more complete list.

5. How Should I take AROMASIN (exemestane) ?

• Take your dose of AROMASIN (exemestane) once a day, every day, after a meal. AROMASIN (exemestane) comes in 25mg tablets you take by mouth. Your doctor will tell you how many AROMASIN (exemestane) tablets to take for your dose.
• Try to take your treatment at the same time each day.
• Take your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
• Tell your doctor if you do not feel well after starting AROMASIN (exemestane) .
• If you miss a dose of AROMASIN (exemestane) , take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, just take your next dose at your regular time.
• Don't take more than one dose of AROMASIN (exemestane) at a time.
• Make a note of when your prescription will run out. That way, you can get it refilled on time.

6. How Should I Store AROMASIN (exemestane) ?

• Keep AROMASIN (exemestane) and all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Store AROMASIN (exemestane) at room temperature, 77°F (25°C), in its original container.

7. General information about AROMASIN (exemestane)

Doctors can prescribe medicines for conditions that are not in the patient information leaflet. Use AROMASIN (exemestane) only for what your doctor prescribed. Do not give it to other people, even if they have the same conditions you have. It may harm them.

This leaflet gives the most important information about AROMASIN (exemestane) . For more information about AROMASIN (exemestane) , talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. You can visit our Web site at www.AROMASIN (exemestane) .com, or call 1-888-AROMASIN (exemestane) (1-888-276-6274).

8. What is in AROMASIN?

Active ingredient: exemestane

Inactive ingredients: mannitol, crospovidone, polysorbate 80, hypromellose, colloidal silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, simethicone, polyethylene glycol 6000, sucrose, magnesium carbonate, titanium dioxide, methylparaben, and polyvinyl alcohol.

Last reviewed on RxList: 5/11/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.